Inside JB Hi-Fi's new concept store: photos

The massive JB Hi-Fi logo adorning the front door is displayed on a large screen, complete with a specials-ticker that surrounds the store.

The concept store spent six months in the design phase before a six week roll-out.

Published: April 20, 2011 -- 06:45 GMT (23:45 PDT)

Caption by: Luke Hopewell

(Credit: Luke Hopewell/ZDNet Australia)

Inside the concept store, each vendor is given its own space to fill with its gadgets and wares, as opposed to the traditional approach of organising goods by section.

Published: April 20, 2011 -- 06:45 GMT (23:45 PDT)

Caption by: Luke Hopewell

(Credit: Luke Hopewell/ZDNet Australia)

Terry Smart, CEO of JB Hi-Fi, spoke to ZDNet Australia about the concept, saying that the company looked to Japanese department stores for inspiration on how to build "dense retail spaces".

Published: April 20, 2011 -- 06:45 GMT (23:45 PDT)

Caption by: Luke Hopewell

(Credit: Luke Hopewell/ZDNet Australia)

A JB Hi-Fi staffer mans a customer service counter, one of many positioned throughout the store.

Smart said that the store is "hardware-only", and isn't designed to cannibalise other JB Hi-Fi sites in the Sydney CBD that offer software and hardware.

Published: April 20, 2011 -- 06:45 GMT (23:45 PDT)

Caption by: Luke Hopewell

(Credit: Luke Hopewell/ZDNet Australia)

JB Hi-Fi even has its own Apple Store inside the Westfield-based concept. However, Smart said that this concept store is not going to be rolled out for all JB Hi-Fi stores around Australia.

Published: April 20, 2011 -- 06:45 GMT (23:45 PDT)

Caption by: Luke Hopewell

(Credit: Luke Hopewell/ZDNet Australia)

As usual, all models are live and able to view only the best content on the store's Wi-Fi network.

Published: April 20, 2011 -- 06:45 GMT (23:45 PDT)

Caption by: Luke Hopewell

(Credit: Luke Hopewell/ZDNet Australia)

JB Hi-Fi has also included a Telstra dealer inside the concept store. Smart said that the store contains about 1800 square metres of floor space as opposed to the usual 1000 square metres JB Hi-Fi stores normally get access to.

Published: April 20, 2011 -- 06:45 GMT (23:45 PDT)

Caption by: Luke Hopewell

(Credit: Luke Hopewell/ZDNet Australia)

Panasonic's flatscreen offerings sit alongside competitors like Samsung and Sony. Smart said that the store is designed to show off the latest and greatest hardware to consumers.

"This isn't fighting back against online, this is about giving customers a good experience. You don't get this [sort of thing] in online retail," he said. "This store enables us to test new concepts."